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Glenn Close Reprises ‘Boulevard’ Role

A touch of Hollywood glamour will come to the London Coliseum home to the English National Opera company when acting icon Glenn Close reprises her role as Norma Desmond in a semi-staged production of Sunset Boulevard theatre breaks which will open in April 2016.

Glenn Close as Norma Desmond in the Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard

Triple Oscar winning film Sunset Boulevard was released in 1950 starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden in the two title roles. Directed (and written) by Billy Wilder, the story revolves aroundfaded silent screen star Norma Desmond who, dreaming of a glorious come-back, moves unsuccessful screen-writer Joe Gilles into her Sunset Boulevard mansion convinced that he will be her ticket to super-stardom.. Living in a fantasy world, Norma’s mind slowly unravels towards madness which ultimately ends in tragedy.

In 1983, British music maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber turned it into a successful West End musical which went on to thrill audiences in both Los Angeles and on Broadway where Glenn Close played the role of Norma Desmond.

The 2016 version of Sunset Boulevard is being co-produced by the English National Opera and the Grade Linnit Company who brought us the 2015 production of Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel.

ENO chief executive Cressida Pollock said: “We at ENO believe that the combination of multiple award-winning Glenn Close, making her West End stage debut, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Sunset Boulevard, will once again pack the London Coliseum with ENO regulars and new audiences for us.”